State Leagues preview: Opening rounds kick-off across the country
IN a Draft Central first, we have streamlined a look across the nation with a number of state leagues returning to action over the Easter long weekend. Competitions in South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland all kick-off over the weekend and we preview them all in one convenient preview. At the time of publishing, only the South Australian and Tasmanian teams were out, with our West Australian and Queensland previews to come.
South Australia:
The much anticipated South Australian National Football League (SANFL) competition kicks off starting tonight in a huge opening long weekend of action.
Tasmanian key forward Jackson Callow will be one to watch for Norwood tonight as they host Port Adelaide returning to the competition after a year off due to the COVID-19 restrictions regarding AFL non-selected players in state leagues. With ex-Geelong talent Jacob Kennerley and ex-Swans tall Michael Knoll returning to Coopers Stadium, the home team will be hard to beat. For Port fans, they will get a glimpse at recent draftees, father-son prospect Taj Schofield and key forward Ollie Lord, whilst the likes of Dylan Williams and Joel Garner are also named in there.
Speaking of ex-AFL talent, South Adelaide has bolstered its list with no bigger name than ex-Crow and Blue, Bryce Gibbs joining the Panthers. He joins ex-Cat Jake Tarca and ex-Lion Sam Skinner, whilst former State Under 18s player Damon Frietag has also joined the cause, Potential number one pick Jason Horne is the player many will turn in to watch, named on the bench to start 2021. Their opponents Adelaide is in the same boat to the Port Magpies, returning to the competition for 2021. Next-Generation Academy (NGA) member Tariek Newchurch is an exciting talent to watch named off half-back, with AFL-listed Crows Jackson Hately, Riley Thilthorpe and Fischer McAsey alongside another NGA draftee in James Borlase. Thilthorpe being named on a wing will be an interesting one to watch, showing off the 200cm key position player’s versatility.
Looking to the other Good Friday clash between Central District and North Adelaide, GWS GIANTS’ Academy member Harry Grant has crossed to the Dogs, with Tom Graham stepping up to League level after plying his trade with the Reserves following a 2019 premiership with Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League. Tasmanian Aiden Grace arrives from Glenorchy, whilst the Bulldogs brother-duo of Travis and Jarrod Schiller will find plenty of the ball. Lachlan Grubb and Lewis Cowham are among the ones to watch in the Reserves side. For North Adelaide, reigning Margarey Medallist Campbell Combe will look to get his season off to a perfect start, with ex-Power and Suns talent Aaron Young joining the team, and former Under 18s state representative Dyson Hilder at full-forward.
In a mid-afternoon game at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, the Eagles will unveil ex-Crow Riley Knight, as well as former Central talents Daniel and Troy Menzel for their clash against Sturt. James Tsitas has remained in South Australia rather than head back to the VFL, while Kobe Mutch will complete a dominant midfield hoping to get back on an AFL list after his time at Essendon. Ex-Crow Patrick Wilson will don the Double Blues colours in 2021 and is straight into the midfield, with former Under 18s state representative Josh Shute also in the side for his League debut. Jordan Houlahan and Zane Kirkwood will once again be keen players for the visitors.
In the final game of the round, Glenelg hosts West Adelaide tomorrow evening. The Tigers have brought in two ex-AFL talents in former Swan Toby Pink, and North Melbourne tall Sam Durdin. Both will provide great versatility around the ground, and back-to-back leading goalkicker Liam McBean will start off another season back at full-forward. Margarey Medallist from a couple of seasons ago Luke Partington will return again for the Bays, as Cooper Horsnell could be among a number of junior players to step up to League level in Round 1. For West Adelaide, Kieren Lovell has joined the side after a stint with Tigers in the TSL last season, while Tom Murphy has been named in the side after his stint with North Melbourne. Josh Gore will be a very handy goalkicker inside 50, while over-age draft prospect Jye Sindeberry has been named at centre half-back for the match.
TASMANIA:
Looking down on the Apple Isle, the youth of the competition will be reduced when Tasmania Devils enter the NAB League competition after it was cancelled in 2020. Nonetheless, there are still some good young talents to keep an eye on, and established players who will stand up.
North Hobart kicks off its campaign against Tigers in what should be a fascinating contest. Youngsters Jye Menzie and George McLeod are among the ones to watch for the Demons, as they hope to topple a Tigers side that has lost key ball winner, Kieren Lovell to the SANFL. Lachlan Gadomski remains an important tall for the Tigers, with Sam Duigan a key inclusion for the Kingborough-based side.
In a massive 2020 Tasmanian State League Grand Final rematch, the two Launceston sides go head-to-head with North Launceston up against reigning premiers, Launceston. Young midfielder Ollie Sanders will play a crucial role on the inside, with plenty of chances over the off-season for the Northern Bombers, though Jay Foon and Brad Cox-Goodyer remain among the top players in the side, and Angus Jeffries another teenager to keep an eye on in 2021. Launceston will have its forward line combination of Jay Blackberry and Dylan Riley, as Jake Hinds will line-up again in midfield for the team.
The other match for the weekend is Lauderdale up against Clarence. The Bombers will welcome Allen Christensen to the side, with the ex-AFL livewire named in the middle, team up with Sam Siggins in there. Clarence have a ton of youth on display, led by last year’s Rising Star in Ollie Davis back again, alongside Ethan Jackson, Darcy Gardner and Noah Holmes among others looking for a good 2021 season in the red and white.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA:
Peel Thunder vs. East Fremantle
Subiaco vs. East Perth
Perth vs. West Coast
South Fremantle vs. West Perth
Swan Districts vs. Claremont
QUEENSLAND:
Noosa Tigers vs. Wilston Grange Gorillas
Just the one match this weekend in a standalone clash between new Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) newcomers Noosa Tigers, and Wilston Grange Gorillas. The match, set to be played at Rococo Oval in Noosa, will have a 2pm start if it goes ahead. With much uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak in Queensland, there is yet to be confirmation the match will go ahead. The teams are also yet to be named due to the uncertainty around the outbreak.
Picture credit: Solstice Digital
SANFL U18s MOTR: Round 4 – Sturt vs. South Adelaide
STURT got its revenge in Saturday’s SANFL Under 18s Grand Final rematch, as a dominant forward performance spearheaded a fourth-quarter breakaway. After the Panthers led heading into half time, the Double Blues lifted their intensity around the contest and started to punish the Panthers on turnover. Seven of the players who graced the field in […]
WAFL Colts MOTR | Round 3: Subiaco vs. West Perth
SUBIACO overcame inaccurate goalkicking to beat West Perth by 16 points in this week’s WAFL Colts match of the round. The Lions steadied with four goals to two in the final quarter to run out deserving victors over the plucky Falcons, 8.16 (64) to 7.6 (48) at Leederville Oval. The winners dominated territory and possession […]
SANFL U18s Player Focus: Charlie Nicholls (Central District)
CENTRAL District tall forward Charlie Nicholls was in fine form as his side picked up a third straight SANFL Under 18s win on Saturday. The Bulldogs conceded the first five goals of the match to West Adelaide, but hit back to take the lead and run out 13.9 (87) to 7.7 (49) victors. Nicholls was […]
2024 AFL Sydney Women’s Premier preview: Round 2
AN enormous amount of practical issues dominate the focus of this weekends introductory Round 2 after Round 1 was washed out last weekend. It has meant the teams have had limited chances for initial hitouts and could give way to lob-sided contests, while a number of players are representing the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants […]
SANFL U18s MOTR | Round 3: Sturt vs. Central District
AFTER going down in their opening round clash, Central District flipped the script on Sturt to come away 16-point victors in the SANFL Under 18s on Saturday. Having led comfortably for much of the game, six consecutive Double Blue goals brought the margin back to two points with 10 minutes left, but the Bulldogs steadied […]
SANFL U18s Player Focus: Kade Herbert (Eagles)
AFTER nearly 10 months away from the SANFL Under 18s competition, Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Kade Herbert made his return over the weekend. He last played for the Eagles’ juniors back in June of last year, made unavailable by senior berths and representative commitments. With no League action due to the State Game, Herbert filled his […]
WAFL Player Focus: Bo Allan (Peel Thunder)
PEEL Thunder talent Bo Allan is already working ahead of schedule in 2024. After overcoming an Achilles strain in preseason, the 191cm defender planned to earn a WAFL League berth post the Under 18 National Championships with WA. Instead, he debuted in Round 1. The Thunder beat East Fremantle in a Grand Final rematch to […]
SANFL U18s MOTR: Round 2 – Central District vs. North Adelaide
CENTRAL District fought off North Adelaide’s fourth-quarter comeback, kicking two late points to secure its first victory of the SANFL Under 18 season. After the Bulldogs extended their lead to 20 points at the start of the fourth quarter, the Roosters kicked four goals in a row to hit the lead, but a late swing […]
WAFL Colts MOTR: Round 1 – West Perth vs. Claremont
THE JOONDALUP breeze wreaked havoc on Saturday night, but Claremont utilised it perfectly to kick away from West Perth in a 10-point Round 1 Colts victory. Under the newly unveiled lights at Pentanet Stadium, the reigning premiers’ prime movers came up clutch at the death. West Perth was made to rue a wasteful opening quarter, […]
